This is not an easy time for Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado.
The grind of last week’s 2-5 road trip through Washington and New York left faint circles under his eyes. Troy Tulowitzki, his mentor and best friend, now plays in Toronto, where fans have caught a virulent case of pennant fever as the Blue Jays streak to the top of the American League East.
After a sizzling June, Arenado has cooled off.
Worst of all, losing has become Arenado’s constant companion.
Since Arenado made his big-league debut April 29, 2013, the Rockies are 172-241. Entering this weekend’s home series against San Diego, the Rockies are once again in the National League West basement.
The 24-year-old Arenado, a two-time Gold Glove winner, a first-time all-star and arguably Colorado’s MVP this season, is trying to cope.
“Losing like we have been can be very wearing, but I’m trying not to let it get to that point,” he said. “If I do that, if I let it get to me, then I start to struggle and I get myself in trouble. That’s bad for me. It’s only going to mess me up and make me a worse ballplayer.
“So I’m just trying to go out and help the team win every day. I focus on that. I try not to let myself get caught up in, ‘Oh, no, we’re losing again!’ Or, ‘How did we blow that one?’ “
Arenado has missed but three games this season and is slashing .274/.313/.553 with 28 home runs.
Manager Walt Weiss has been tempted to give him more time off but usually changes his mind.
“Nolan is one of those people who just loves playing the game,” Weiss said. “Playing baseball energizes him. Plus, he’s still young.”
The manager has witnessed his third baseman mature not only on the diamond and at the plate but also with a more grown-up approach to the long season.
“Nolan beats himself up sometimes,” Weiss said. “He’s really hard on himself, and he’s going to have to overcome that. When he makes an out or an error, it’s like a tragedy. We’ve had a lot of conversations about that. He’s aware of it, and he’s trying. He’s getting better.”
Over the past two months, Arenado has needed to protect himself from self-criticism. After hitting .304 with 12 homers and 33 RBIs in June, he hit .228 with one home run and 10 RBIs in July. He has improved a bit in August, batting .255 with three homers and four RBIs.
“Obviously, July was not very good for me and August has been just OK. But I’ve learned a lot,” Arenado said. “Pitchers are so good in this game that the main key is taking advantage of mistakes. I’m doing more of that.
“That’s how you are going to survive in this game. That’s why guys like CarGo (Carlos Gonzalez) and Mike Trout are stars; they take advantage of mistakes and hit them out.”
The Rockies are on pace for their third 90-loss season in four years. A first 100-loss season is a possibility.
“I’m not a losing player, and I’m not OK with losing,” he said. “It’s not something anybody should be OK with, and I don’t think the guys on this team are OK with it.”
Arenado, still intoxicated by his love of the game, said there are moments when he has to give himself a reality pinch.
“Sometimes I will look up into the stands and think, ‘Man, I can’t believe I’m playing in this stadium right now,’ ” he said. “So there are things you have to try to enjoy. The crowds, the plays you get a chance to make, trying to beat the contenders. Facing a tough pitcher. All of that.
“So I’ll got out and try to win the next series. For me, this is my playoffs, right here, right now.”
